BOXING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 55, 11 April 1914, Page 10

BOXING.

The annual report of' the New Zealand Boxing Council states that, from a competition point of view, the season, of 1913-14 was in keeping with what has been previously recorded in this connection.

'' That is to say,' ' continues the report, "competitions were regularly carried out by affiliated bodies, and no re- , port reached the Council of any fallingoff in the number of competitors, or that the form shown, generally speaking, was below the average. Judging by the displays given by competitors at the New Zealand Championships, and taking that as indicative of amateur ability in the Dominion, it is beyond question that the average of recent years has been well maintained. The amateur side of the sport has been ' well looked- after by affiliated bodies, and the council sincerely trusts that this, the foremost duty of the bodies forming the New Zealand Boxing Council —the encouragement of the amateur by every possible means' to come forward and compete —will continue to be the main feature of each year's work. The professional has been well catered for, "but it is to be regretted that several matches that were promoted turned out unsatisfactory. The council would urge local associations to exercise thfev utmost care, both in their own interests and in the interests of the general of the sport, in the selection of contestants for professional matches. .None but well-accredited men should be given any encouragement. "The membership of the council now numbers 20. During the season the Hawera Sports and Pastimes Club and the Wairarapa Association were affiliated, while the Waipukurau Association disbanded, and the Nelson Association suspended operations. The Greymouth Association has been reconstructed.

''The Rules have been recently revised, and copies have been distributed, amongst affiliated associations. The amendments brought about by the recent mail votes are included, and it can be confidently said that both the general and the competition rules are up-to-date in every respect. The council feels that it is its duty to refer to the danger of over-legislation! So far the alterations have been for the betterment of the sport, but there appears to be a tendency to regard annual alterations as a sine qua non. The acceptance of that idea is the forerunner of faddist legislation. "The financial position of the council is healthy. This season there was no call upon the council's funds to finance a Dominion team to Australia, but this necessity will occur in the next three successive seasons. The season commenced with a credit of £3l 16/5, and closed with a credit of £169 3/10." The report also refers to the New Zealand and Australasian championships tournaments, and to the recent trouble in connection with the Northern Boxing Association arrangement with a private promoter for the holding o* contests during the* exhibition period.